2024 Pinot Gris
Notebook: We've been making Pinot Gris for more than a decade and we are glad to see it gain a stronger foothold in the region, with more producers and unique expressions appearing nearly every year. We find that this is a varietal that truly expresses vintage in the FLX, and the creamy texture, floral perfume, and ripe stone fruit flavors definitely tell the story of the sunny summer of 2024. We hope you enjoy this on a warm summer day of your own, with some friends and maybe some grilled fish or ripe fruit.
Vineyard: Sawmill Creek Vineyards
Winemaking:
Harvest Date: September 18
Fermentation: Pressed after 4 hours of skin contact into stainless steel tank.
Aging: Stainless steel tank. The wine was filltered and bottled on January 28, 2025.
ABV: 13.5%
Cases Produced: 121
Pinot Gris
Planted 1982 and 2008
Lansing soil, gravel silt loam, 8%-15% slope
'Own Rooted'
Atwater Vineyards in Burdett, NY is located along the southeast corner of Seneca Lake, in a stretch of sloping vineyards many refer to as the "banana belt" of the Finger Lakes. We thank Chris, Mike and Wes for their dedication and passion!
Vinny Aliperti started his wine journey making wine as a teenager with his relatives, never considering it would one day become his profession. After graduating college with a liberal arts degree and a stint in the Peace Corps, an opportunity to pursue commercial winemaking on his native Long Island was presented and he never looked back. From 1997 through 1999, Vinny apprenticed under winemaker Roman Roth at Wolffer Estate, producing mostly Chardonnay and Merlot at its state-of -the -art facility.
In early 2000, Vinny moved his family to the Finger Lakes to work at the legendary Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, where he was first exposed to Riesling production. In 2001, Vinny joined the startup Atwater Estate Vineyards, where he continues today heading up winemaking operations for over 15 varieties. Its 8000 case facility produces estate grown wines, including multiple Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Franc.
With Atwater's blessing, Vinny and his wife, Kim, started their own label, Billsboro Winery, in Geneva, NY in 2007. Sourcing grapes from Sawmill Creek Vineyards on Seneca Lake, Billsboro specializes in producing small lots dry vinifera wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.
